Can-opener.



No. 800,737. PATENTED OCT. 3, 1905. J. J. GRAF.

CAN OPENER.

nruoumn FILED 11017.21, 1904.

2 snnntrs-snnm 1.

Wf/Euzass PATENTED OCT. 3, 1905.

J. J. GRAF.

CAN OPENER.

AVPLICATION FILED NOV. 21, 1904.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

UNITED STATES PATIENT OFFICE.

CAN-OPENER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 3, 1905.

Application filed November 21, 1904. Serial No. 233,561-

.To all who/1'1, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOHN J. GRAF, a citizen of the United States,residing at Crescent Springs, Kenton county, State of Kentucky, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Can-Openers; and I dodeclare the following to be a clear, full, and exact descriptionthereof, attention being called to the accompanying two sheets ofdrawings, with the reference characters marked thereon, which form alsoa part of this specification.

This invention relates to means for removing caps or covers from thebody of containing vessels when these former are held in place by ascrew-threaded connection. Preserving, storing, .and shipping vesselslike jars and cans are here in view when they are provided with ascrew-thread around their fill or discharge openings, which openings areclosed by a cap also threaded and fitted to the thread first mentioned.

The object of this invention is to provide an implement for removingmore particularly the comparatively large caps from largersized vessels,like, for instance, from the cans in which powder and carbid areshipped, and more particularly the latter. The screwthread whichreceives such a cap is provided on a neck which surrounds the opening inthe body of the can and projects therefrom, usually at one of the ends.In some forms of cans the engagement of the neck by the cap is onewithin the neck, so that when in place the cap is surrounded by theneck. This occurs more particularly in cans where the neck projectsinwardlythat is, into the body of the can so that when the cap is inplace it does not project above the body of the can. In other forms thecap engages the neck around the outside of the same, the neck in theseforms usually projecting from the body outwardly.

The invention consists of an implement constructed in a particularmanner to render it suitable for use with vessels of the kind and sizementioned and which construction is further so designed that with aslight modification of arrangement of its parts it may be used on eitherthe internal or external caps mentioned.

In the following specification, and particularly pointed out in theclaims, is found a full description of the invention, together with itsmanner of use, parts, and construction, which latter is also illustratedin the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 shows a top view of acan, its cap being held by being screwed into an inwardlyprojectingscrew-threaded neck with my implement in engagement with said cap tounscrew the same. Fig. 2 is a side view of the preceding figure withparts broken away, the cap being shown in a section which passes throughits center, while part of the tool is also shown in section. Fig. 3shows a top view of .a can the cap of which is seated on anoutwardly-projecting screw-threaded neck, my implement in engagementwith the cap for the purpose of removing the same. Fig. i is a sideelevation of the preceding figure.

Figs. 5 and 6 and Figs. 7 and 8 show in each of these two groups and infigures similar to Figs. 1 and 2 a modified construction of theimplement for use in connection with a can constructed as shown in saidFigs. 1 and 2 that is, with a can having an inwardly-projectingscrew-threaded neck.

In the drawings, 10 indicates the flat side of a circular screw-capprovided on its edge with an annular side or flange 11, which containsthe thread wherebyit engages the correspondingly-threaded neck 12, whichprojects from the inclosure of the can and surrounds an opening therein.Where these cans are cylindrical, the neck is usually formed on one ofthe ends or heads, as shown at 13, and to which heads the cylindricalshell 14: of the can connects. In Figs. 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, and 8 this neckis shown as projecting inwardly from the inclosure which forms thecan-body, while in Figs. 3 and i it projects outwardly therefrom. Thecan illustrated in the group of figures first mentioned is of a typefrequently used for shipping and storing carbid of calcium. The caps ofthese cans are provided with a projecting ridge or bar 15, which isintended to aid in their manipulation, particularly their unscrewing. Inpractice this has proved, ho\ ever, insuflicient, because by reason ofthe comparatively large size of these caps, their diameter being fromeight to nine inches, more or less, considerable frictional resistancehas to be overcome toloosen and start them,which resistance is increasedby the presence of an interposed washer 16. Since this bar does notproject beyond the circumference of the caps, suffieient purchase andleverage for the purpose is not obtainable. To overcome thesediffieulties is the object of my implement, which at once provides for asufficient purchase by an extended engagement with the threaded side ofthe cap to which is added an i operating-lever of substantial length andthe handles of which extend well beyond the cap, thereby permittingexertion of a leverage which easily overcomes the frictional resistanceof the screw-engaged cap. \Vith my implement the cap is engaged atdiametrically opposite portions of its threaded flange by one edge ofeach of two flat jaws 17, in shape substantially like the segment of acircle, and the outline or are of one of the edges in each jaw is fittedfor such engagement to a circle which corresponds to the circle of theperiphery of the particular cap on which the implement is to be used.This edge or surface is indicated by 18, and in Figs. 1, 5, and 7 it isshown as fitted against the inside of the side of the cap, while in Fig.3 it is fitted against the outside thereof. The length of this particular edge or surface is such in each case to cover a substantial partof the circumferential length of the threaded side against which it isintended to operate. The shape of the other edge in each jaw isimmaterial, since it does not perform any particular function. In theflat side of each jaw of the device shown in Figs. 1 to 4: there is acurved groove or slot 19, which is arranged to be nonparallel oreccentric to the cap-engaging surface 18, the disposition being suchthat from one of its ends which is closest to the center of the cap whenthe implement is in position this slot recedes from such center towardits other end. The arrangement is further such that in one jaw the endof its slot which is closest inwardly toward the center is opposite tothat end of the slot in the other jaw which is farthest away from thecenter. Into each slot pins 21 are fitted, which project from the underside of a manipulating-lever 22, which is provided at each end with ahandle 23. These handles form, preferably, integral extensions on saidlever, and these, together with the pins, form a rigid frame structureof immovable parts. The arrangement is such, referring now to Figs. 1and 2 only, that when the parts are so moved that the pins arenearestthe end of the slots farthest from the center thejaws will be closesttogether and may be readily placed within the cap. W hen the lever isnow moved, as shown by the arrow and with its handles in oppositedirections, the pins by advancing at the same time and in each jaw inthe inwardly-directed part of the slotsthat is. toward the center willalso move the jaws apart, thus causing them to impinge against the sideof the screwcap. The direction in which the lever is moved for sospreading the jaws is the same as is required for unscrewing the cap, sothat as soon as the frictional impingement of the outwardlyforced. jawsis sufiicient to loosen the cap the same will commence to unscrew, andthe two motions that is, the one for spreading the jaws to engage andstart the cap and the one for unscrewing the same-merge now into one,which is continued until'the desired effect is obtained. The operationof the form shown in Figs. 3 and 4: is substantially the same, exceptthat it is used on an externally-seated cap-that is, one which surroundsthe neck on its outside. This requires that the jaws instead of movingoutwardly to engage the cap must be moved toward each other, for whichpurpose it is merely necessary to reverse the direction of the slots.

\Vhilc I show two pins in each slot, such number is not absolutelynecessary, and one would be suiiicient for the purpose, but two operatebetter, the lever being suiiiciently spread in shape of a frame toprovide space for their attachment; nor is it necessary that they beexactly in shape of pins, and any form of projection from the leversufficient to engage and move the jaws would answer. In order to keepthe members of this implement on each other, the free end of each pin isprovided with a head 24, which maybe held by a rivet and which projectson each side over each edge of the slot on the under side of the jaws;but for this desire to hold the parts together these slots might bemerely grooves sufliciently deep to receive the pins.

The modified constructions (one illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6 and theother in Figs. 7 and 8, both on the second sheet) are applicable for usein connection with a cap as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2that is, oneheld within its neck so that the engagement of the threaded side of thecap is obtained by moving jaws 17 apart. This movement is, however, notobtained here by a rotary motion of lever 22, but by downward pressureon its handles 23. In the form shown in Figs. 5 and 6 this pressure actson the jaws by means of links 25, which shove them apart and against theside of the cap. These links also hold these jaws to their lever, theybeing pivotally connected to each of the members so connected. In Figs.7 and 8 this pressure is transmitted by inclined planes formed as to onepart by lateral projections 26 on the lever and as to the other by lugs27, two rising from each jaw and between which the lever is arranged.The inclined projections 26 when bearing against the inclined edges oflugs 27 shove these, together with the jaws, outwardly. The parts areheld to each other in this case by a nose 28 on each lug, which projectsover the corresponding projection 26 in front of it, and by pins 29passing through all these parts. By reason of these pins occupying slots31 in IIO one of the connected parts no interference is caused with themovement of the inclined surfaces on each other. When by downwardpressure in each of these two forms the jaws are fully pressed againstthe side of the cap, the lever-handle while so held and without relaxingthe pressure on it is now turned the same as before.

This implement in neither of its forms shown requires the assistance ofa ridge 15 on the cap for the purpose of disengaging it.

The frictional engagement of edge 18 of the jaws may be aided byroughening this surface or by covering it with strips 32 of leather orrubber. These strips may be held in position in any suitable manner, asby an adhesive substance or by slots 33 at the ends of the jaws intowhich the ends of these strips are inserted and stretched from one tothe other over the surface to be covered.

It is not necessary that the jaws in approaching the side of the capmove simultaneously or each an equal extent, which, were it necessary,would require careful adjustment of the jaws before engagement in viewof the loose connection of each to the lever. This is, however,immaterial, because should one jaw be closer to the side of the cap andmove less by engaging the cap sooner the other jaw would simplycompensate for this by moving a little more, the action being in allcases the same and starts as soon as both jaws are in engagement withthe side of the cap. For this reason it is also feasible that one of thejaws might be rigidly connected to the operating-lever and one onlymovable. This would require, however, a correspondingly more eX- tendedmovement for the other jaw, the engagement of the cap would,not be asquick, and no better results would be obtained.

The slots shown in the forms illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4: need notnecessarily be curved, and they might also be straight, but must benon-parallel to the direction in which the pins on the operating-leverare moved. As to the form shown in Figs. 8 and 4, the same elfect mightbe obtained by retaining the form of jaws shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and byextending the cap-engaging edges 18 downwardly therefrom. The flat partof each jaw would then rest on top of the cap the same as shown in Figs.1 and 2, with said engaging edges extending down over the side of thecap. The rubber strips 32 would be on the inside of this depending partof edge 18.

Having described my invention, I claim as new i 1. In an implement forremoving screwcaps, the combination of two jaws in shape of circularsegments adapted each with one of their edges to engage, diametricallyopposite each other, the side of the cap to be removed, such edge ineach jaw being curved on a circle which corresponds to the circle of thecap periphery, thus fitting such edge against the side of the cap, alever-frame arranged across these two jaws and provided with integralhandles, one at each end, which handles project in diametricallyopposite directions beyond said jaws and beyond the side of the cap whenin position thereon, and means which operatively connect each jaw to thelever-frame, one at each end thereof whereby proper manipulation of thislatter by its handles causes the jaws to engage the side of the cap.

2. In an implement for removing screwcaps, the combination of alever-frame of a length sufiicient to extend, when in position,diametrically across the cap to be removed, the same being provided withpins projecting from its under side near each end and with handles, allpermanently and immovably connected so as to form a rigid framestructure from which the handles, one at each end, project indiametrically opposite directions with reference to the cap to beremoved when in position thereon, and two jaws in shape of circularsegments, each adapted with one of their edges to engage, diametricallyopposite each other, the side of the cap to be removed, such edge ineach jaw being curved on a circle which corresponds to the circle of thecap periphery. the flat side of each jaw having a curved slot, arrangedeccentrically with reference to its circular cap-engaging edge andadapted to be occupied by the'pins on the lever-frame at each end of thesame.

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my signature in the presence of twowitnesses.

JOHN J. GRAF.

Witnesses:

(J. SPENGEL, ARTHUR KLINE.

